Fatal Crash in Hart County

The Georgia State Patrol reports that on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at approximately 9:24 a.m., Troopers from Post 52 in Hartwell responded to a three-vehicle crash with a report of a fatal injury on GA 77 near Stephen Johnson Road in Hart County.  The preliminary crash investigation revealed a green 1995 Ford Ranger, a white 2023 Dodge Ram 1500, and a white 2021 GMC Yukon XL were traveling north on GA 77.  While the Dodge and GMC were stopped in traffic within an active road construction zone, the Ford was following too close to the Dodge.  The front of the Ford struck the rear of the Dodge, which caused the front of the Dodge to subsequently strike the rear of the GMC in the northbound lane of GA 77.  The driver of the Ford, 68-year-old William Stanley Bridges of Elberton, was not wearing his seatbelt and was pronounced deceased at the scene.  The driver of the Dodge had no complaint of injuries, and the driver of the GMC sustained non-life-threatening injuries.  Both lanes of GA 77 were closed for approximately an hour and a half for the crash investigation and the roadway to be cleared by emergency personnel.